## Bridport Christian Fellowship
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 March 2025
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
## **BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE 4-5 Kings Square East Street Bridport Dorset DT6 3QE GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated April 1991 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1002844 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Elaine Butcher MANAGING THE CHARITY Grant Butcher Jacqueline Edwards Robin Harrison (appointed April 2024) Carolyn Swadling Kelvin Weaver BANKERS Lloyds Bank plc Kingdom Bank Limited INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Archie McDowall BA CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
## **INDEX**
Page 1 Legal and Administrative Details Pages 2-4 Trustees' Report Page 5 Independent Examiner's Report Page 6 Receipts and Payments Account Page 7 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 8-9 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
## **BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year 2024-2025 as follows.
## **Objects of the charity**
The charity, which is a church, is governed by a trust deed and is constituted as a trust. The charitable objectives of the Fellowship are the proclamation of the Christian Gospel as contained in the Holy Bible recognising Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, and bringing people to know Jesus by both public and personal witness.
These charitable objectives are realised through activities designed to build up the church. These include: Regular worship services; Prayer meetings; Clubs for all age groups, which are open to church and non-church attendees; House Groups and Bible Study groups, as a basis for mutual care and support; Outreach activities in Bridport town square and West Bay throughout the year, and especially at Christian festivals as a public witness.
## **Outward giving**
We recognise a responsibility to support other Christian and charitable works world-wide, and therefore it is a policy of the Trust to provide financial support to causes that are judged as deserving by an appointed Giving Committee, the work of which is overseen by the Trustees. We aim to give away twenty five percent of our total income received from offerings and tax reclaimed on those offerings plus rental income from the flat and hall lettings. Approximately fifty per cent of our outward giving is applied to UK-based charities working overseas, the balance is applied within the UK particularly focussing on local needs. We also operate a food bank supplying local families in need, as well as offering a hot meal weekly to the homeless and people in need.
## **Governance**
Responsibility for policy setting and the financial and legal decisions of the Charity rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to direct and monitor the activities of the Trust.
Responsibility for the spiritual direction of the church rests with the Eldership Team. New Trustees are appointed by the Elders and approved by the existing Trustees.
At the commencement of the year the Trustees were Mr Grant Butcher (Chairman), Mrs Carrie Swaddling, Mrs Jackie Edwards, Mrs Elaine Butcher, Mr Kelvin Weaver & Mr Robin Harrison At the commencement of the year the Eldership Team comprised of: Leading Elders David & Janice Collins, Ray & Carole Dobson as “Founding Elders”, assisted by Elders Theresa Gordon and Kevin and Sue Hillier.
Mr Dave Collins has continued in his paid part-time position as ‘Leading Elder’.
## **Church life**
House-groups continue to be a key part of church life. Leaders of these groups have first responsibility for the pastoral care of those in their groups. It is however recognised that needs can arise for the provision of deeper care in ways that are beyond the scope of house-groups and their leaders. This kind of pastoral care is currently the responsibility of the Elders.
Bible Study, worship and prayer evenings are an essential part of our church life and are usually held on Sunday afternoons and evenings.
Worship meetings are held on Sunday mornings.
Social activities and fellowship meals are seen as an important means of building relationships and are usually held on the first Sunday of the month.
Page 2
## **Review of the year**
The core activities of the Trust – meeting for worship, prayer, and Bible Study, plus outreach activities and acts of public witness appropriate to the season.
Worship services in church on Sunday mornings.
Occasional prayer meetings at various times of the week. Outreach (Pray & Chat) in Bucky Doo Square in Bridport Town happens regularly. House-groups meeting mid-week.
A feeding programme for the homeless started in February 2020 and serves a hot meal at the church on Mondays.
The Lord’s Larder food bank has been operating to meet local families in need.
A free Saturday morning Coffee Bar for visitors to the market is available weekly. Mother and Toddler group meet midweek. Christian films, open to the general public are shown occasionally. The Shed (men’s group) meets fortnightly and have breakfasts regularly. The Friday morning Art Group is very popular and is very well attended.
There are regular Ladies Group meetings some of which are used for outreach by providing craft workshops.
We continue to provide accommodation for a Ukrainian Family who have settled well into the community and the fellowship and are looking for a more permanent home.
We continued to receive income from hiring our premises to local groups and get a regular income from the residential letting of the flat in the “Headmaster’s House”. Last year we converted the lower floor of the ‘Headmaster’s House’ into accommodation for a Ukrainian refugee family for which we continued to receive a grant from the council.
We continue in membership of Churches Together in Bridport through which we work with other Bridport churches. The annual Christmas Lunch for needy or lonely people was held at the United Church. We were able to celebrate the usual Easter activity of the walk of witness with a service in Bucky Doo square and the Christmas nativity in St Mary’s Church. Services are held in the summer in West Bay on the Green outside St John’s Church. We are also members of the Evangelical Alliance.
We still maintain our association with the Ichthus Fellowship in London the leaders of which attend our church several times during the year, as well as our Elders attending their conferences. The Trustees have complied with their duty in the Charities Act 2006, Section 4, to have due regard to the public benefit and have closely followed guidance published by the Charity Commission in December 2008.
## **Thanksgiving**
The work of the Trustees would not be possible without the enthusiastic support, generous financial giving and prayer of church members, and the blessings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to the glory of Whom all our efforts are dedicated. We have also been overwhelmed by the love and provision of God our Father who has kept us safe and provided abundantly for our needs above and beyond our expectations.
Page 3
## **Financial review**
2024-2025 financial year was challenging with income reduced and below budgeted expectations. Costs were also below budget but higher than income due to major remedial work which had to be carried out on the building. Outward giving was 29% of income.
Income decreased by £5,998 to £65,389. Expenditure increased by £18,013, to £83,763. Overall, the cash held by the charity decreased by £18,374, to £67,261, of which £64,762 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
## **Reserves policy**
Our agreed reserves policy states the amount of £40,000 should be held on deposit with Kingdom Bank in a Church and Charity Reserve Account, to cover any more unexpected costs relating to the maintenance of our aged building. At the year end the unrestricted cash on hand was £64,762.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
## **Approval**
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
## Grant Butcher
____________________________ Grant Butcher (Dec 1, 2025 11:18:53 GMT) Grant Butcher Dec 1, 2025 Date:_______________________
Page 4
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Bridport Christian Fellowship ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025 on pages 6 to 9 following.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## Archie McDowall
Archie McDowall (Dec 12, 2025 15:46:27 GMT)
Archie McDowall BA CA
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: Dec 12, 2025
Page 5
## **BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|Notes
**_Income receipts_**
Donations
Gift aid receipts
Other grants
Rental income
Charitable activities
Other
**_Capital and similar receipts_**
**_Total receipts_**
**_Payments_**
2
3
**_Total payments_**
Transfers between funds
5
**Net movement in funds**
Cash funds as at last year end
**Cash funds at this year end**
A
Net
of
receipts
/
(payments)
before
transfers
Grants
paid
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken by others
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly
Loans made
Loan repayments||General
Designated
Funds
Funds
£
£
36,561
-
8,037
-
7,950
-
9,923
-
700
-
662
-
63,832
-
-
-
-
-
63,832
-
63,826
-
17,836
-
81,662
-
-
-
-
-
81,662
-
17,829
-
485
0
18,314
0
57,527
25,549
39,213
25,549
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
Funds
£
952
-
-
-
605
-
1,556
-
-
1,556
942
1,159
2,101
-
-
2,101
545
-
485
(60)
2,559
2,499|Total
2025
£
37,513
8,037
7,950
9,923
1,304
662
65,389
-
-
65,389
64,768
18,995
83,763
-
-
83,763
18,374
-
-
18,374
-
85,636
67,261|Total
2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
Funds
£
36,561
8,037
7,950
9,923
700
662
63,832
-
-
63,832
63,826
17,836
81,662
-
-
81,662
17,829
485
18,314
57,527
39,213||||
||||||41,527
7,455
8,200
10,708
1,827
670|
||||||70,386|
||||||-|
||||||-|
|||||||
||||||70,386
|
||||||47,565
18,185|
||||||65,750|
||||||-|
||||||-|
|||||||
||||||65,750
|
||-
-||||4,636
-
|
||-||||4,636
80,999
|
||||||85,636
|
The notes on pages 8-9 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
## **BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **AS AT THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
**A**
**Cash funds**
Cash at bank with immediate access
17,951
5,549
Notice deposits
21,261
20,000
**39,213**
**25,549**
**B**
**Other monetary assets**
Gift aid due to charity
2,712
-
Other debtors
457
-
**3,169**
**-**
**C**
**Liabilities**
**Falling due within one year:**
Trade Creditors
-
-
Fee for Independent Examination
1,050
-
**1,050**
**-**
**D**
**Assets retained for charity's own use**
_Freehold buildings: church and residential property_
Contents
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
funds
£
2,499
-
**2,499**
-
-
**-**
-
-
**-**|Total
2025
£
26,000
41,261
**67,261**
2,712
457
**3,169**
-
1,050
**1,050**
Value
2025
£
-
143,021
**143,021**|Total
2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|
||||65,030
20,605|
||||**85,636**|
||||3,212
457|
||||**3,669**|
||||-
1,002|
||||**1,002**|
||||Value
2024
£|
||||-
127,697|
||||**127,697**|
_Current values have not been quoted for properties because reliable valuations are not available (disclosure is not mandatory)._
The trustees have used insurance values for contents and equipment as the trustees are unable to reliably estimate current values; insurance values may differ materially from current values.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
> by Grant Butcher date _____________________________Grant Butcher Grant Butcher (Dec 1, 2025 11:18:53 GMT) _________________ Dec 1, 2025
The notes on pages 8-9 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
## **BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies**
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
|**2**
**Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly**
Employment costs
Utilities and telephone
Property maintenance
Insurance
Speakers
Events and outreach
Equipment
Administration and support
Governance costs
Other costs||Unrestrict|Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ed Funds|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
942
-
-
-
-
942|Total
2025
£
11,688
12,082
24,523
1,867
1,172
942
3,420
5,360
1,002
2,712
64,768
|Total
2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
funds
£
11,688
12,082
24,523
1,867
1,172
-
3,420
5,360
1,002
2,712
63,826|||||
|||||||9,250
8,653
12,779
1,589
1,503
565
2,353
6,034
1,260
3,580|
|||||||47,565|
|**3**
**Grants and gifts paid to others**
Organisations:
Disasters Emergency Committee
Organisations < £1,000
Individuals|-
14,096
3,740
17,836|-
-
-
-|-
170
990
1,159
|-
14,266
4,730
18,995
|-
11,887
6,298|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||18,185|
## **Transactions with related parties**
No payments were made to trustees or persons related to them, except for reimbursement of expenses paid out on behalf of the charity.
Page 8
## **BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|**5**
**Movement of funds**
General funds
Designated funds
Legacy
Restricted funds
Friday Art Group
Bible Society
Feeding programme
Mission giving
Ladies Group
Other
Total funds|Opening
balance
£
57,527
25,549
83,076
1,891
-
482
-
186
-
2,559
85,636|Receipts
£
63,832
-
63,832
605
29
417
-
366
141
1,556
65,389|Payments
£
(81,662)
-
(81,662)
(942)
(29)
(502)
-
(327)
(301)
2,101
-
(83,763)|Transfers
£
485
-
-
485
-
-
-
325
-
-
160
485
-|Closing
balance
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||39,213
25,549|
||||||64,762|
||||||1,554
-
722
-
224
0
-|
||||||2,499|
|||||||
||||||67,261|
The legacy was received in 2023 for the general work of the church. The Feeding programme funds relates to the provision of hot meals to the homeless and those in need.
Page 9